TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Oscar de la Renta, one of the world's most sought-after fashion designers in the past five decades, has passed away at the age of 82, said a spokesperson of the famed designer from his private home in Connecticut on Monday evening.

de la Renta's clients have included a number of First Ladies of the United States (US), and counts a myriad of Hollywood royalties among his loyal customers.

A number of reports said de la Renta passed away of health complications from cancer, which he had been fighting for 10 years.

Born in the Dominican Republic, de la Renta emigrated to Spain to study fine arts, but fashion took his attention and he began a stint working with another household name in fashion, Spanish couturier Cristobal Balenciaga.

His name rose to public attention in the 1960s when he was chosen to data-style First Lady of the United States Jacqueline Kennedy, and he finally established his own company in New York in 1965.

Known for his especially classic, elegant and feminine designs, de la Renta's creation was recently showcased at the wedding of human rights expert Amal Clooney to Hollywood silver fox George Clooney in Venice last month.

"George and I wanted a romantic and elegant wedding. No one else could embody our desires in one dress like Oscar could," said Amal to Vogue, as quoted by Reuters.

ANTARA